Psalm 101:3-8

3 I will not put any evil thing before my eyes; I am against all turning to one side; I will not have it near me.

4 The false heart I will send away from me: I will not have an evil-doer for a friend.

5 I will put to death anyone who says evil of his neighbour secretly; the man with a high look and a heart of pride is disgusting to me.

6 My eyes will be on those of good faith in the land, so that they may be living in my house; he who is walking in the right way will be my servant.

7 The worker of deceit will not come into my house; the false man will have no place before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning will I put to death all the sinners in the land, so that all evil-doers may be cut off from Jerusalem.

Psalm 101:3-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 101

\\<>\\. The title of this psalm, in the Syriac version, is, ``for Asaph, an exhortation of David, concerning those things which are required in the ministry of the house of the Lord; and a prophecy of the praise of the conqueror, and of the perfect man in God.'' Theodoret thinks it was written by David concerning good Josiah, whom he foresaw, by a spirit of prophecy, would rise up a great reformer of the people, and whom he proposes as a pattern of perfection to others; but it was, no doubt, written by him of himself; very likely, after he was delivered out of his troubles by the death of Saul, and was come to the kingdom, since he resolves to "sing of mercy and judgment": though by the interrogation, "when wilt thou come unto me?" it looks as if he had not arrived to the height of his honour: wherefore, perhaps, this psalm was penned between his being made king over Judah, and his being made king over all the tribes; but, be it as it may, the design of it is to show his resolutions, how he would behave as a king in his court, and as a master in his family; so that it is very instructive to kings and civil magistrates, and to parents and masters of families: and as David was a type of Christ, he seems, throughout the whole, to represent him; and, indeed, there are some things in it which agree with none so well as with him; such as behaving wisely, in a perfect way, and walking in his house with a perfect heart; not suffering any evil thing to cleave unto him, and knowing none, and the like.